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design seminar: biography

02. vaughan oliver |    inspired poster

1957: born in sedgefield, county durhan and grew up in newton aycliffe, ten miles to the south

1970: living anatomy published, a major influence on olivers' design

1970's: a young lad was a fan of progressive rock such as king crimson, pink loyd and tangerine dream, as well as david bowie and roxie music

1976: won the durham county secondary schools senoir arts trophy

1976: woman in bandage, ilustration

1977: removes and studying "zen punk" poster by dowling. it was dowling who mentored oliver and encouraged him into graphic design

1978: gets photographs published in amateur photographer

1980: moves to london, meets ivo watts-russell

1981: starts working with nigel grierson (photography and video-maker) under the name, 23 envelope. partnership disolved in 1987, amicably

1982: for a modern english poster uses his own handwriting

1983: starts at 4ad, a record label in south london. was the 2nd employee

1983: creates 4ad logo, still in use today

1987: clan of xymox's, "medusa". oliver's face appears as a stone cast

1987: collaborates with simon larbalestier for pixies album art and jim friedman for xymox

1988: opens his studio, v23. chris bigg hired full-time

1991: show entitled, expo 23, in the parco gallery, tokyo

1992: 4ad opens los angeles office

1994: ivo moves to l.a. permanently

1992-4: tv commercials for microsoft, sony and other clients

1993: show entitled, glove, ggg gallery, tokyo

1998: moves out of the 4ad offices